Girls Aloud have done it, Javine has done it, now it's time for the other four lasses from the Popstars The Rivals final 10 to do it - release a hit single.

A year ago, 10 wannabe pop stars became entrenched in the minds of millions hooked on reality TV show Popstars The Rivals.

Five of those went on to become chart-topping Girls Aloud and another has recently hit the top five as a solo act.

But what of the four others - Chloe, Lynsey, Emma and Aimee? Well, using the first letters of their names, they are now Clea, who are about to release their debut single, Download It.

It is out on Monday, and to mark the event, the foursome will be at HMV in Newcastle's Northumberland Street at 5pm on the day to sign copies.

So where have they been during the months that Girls Aloud took off and boy band One True Voice virtually disappeared?

"It actually seems a lot longer than a year," says Lynsey, the oldest member of the group, at 20. "We were all offered individual contracts and stuff but they just didn't seem right.

"We all wanted to take our time over things. We all became firm friends during The Rivals and when the hullabaloo of the final was over we took some time out. We visited each other and it soon became clear that instead of doing things individually we would probably be best off as a unit.

"I'm glad we've taken our time over it as there was a certain amount of adverse publicity after The Rivals. Now there is Fame Academy and Pop Idol for people to watch so we'll just get on with publicising the single and taking our own route."

Clea landed a record deal with 1967 and immediately moved back in together. Download It will be followed by an album on September 29. "We want people to know that while we are a girl band, it's not just one of us up there singing with the others dancing behind. The album is reflective of all of us," says Mancunian Lynsey.

And are they in touch with Girls Aloud? "More so nowadays. At the start is was virtually impossible. I say good luck to all of us."